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Re: Problems with Varilux Progressive Lenses
Sharon wrote:
I started wearing Varilux progressive lenses 3 days ago. My prescription is Left Eye 7.5 and Right Eye 6 with the presbyopia part of 2.5. My distance vision with the new glasses is great. The near vision is fine too - although the window of clear vision is so small it feels like I am reading through a straw. The intermediate vision is brutal. I can't see anything clearly unless I tilt my head way back and look out of the bottom of the glasses. For example, at a restaurant I can clearly read the menu, see the food on my plate and look around the restaurant. My husband sitting across from me is totally blurry. In the bathroom, I can't see myself clearly in the mirror. At work I can't see any of the stuff I have posted around my desk (I am a bookkeeper) and viewing the computer is really problematic. I can't imagine having to go through the rest of my life tilting my head back just to be able to see at the intermediate level. The optician said it takes 3-5 days to adjust but so far the intermediate vision is exactly the same as it was when I first put the glasses on. Could there be a problem with the lenses?
Dr. Sonja Gascoyne's response:
Dear Sharon Is this your first time trying progressive lenses? It can take some time to adjust to the way the lenses work. The distance vision is at the top of the lens, intermediate near the middle and the reading area towards the bottom of the lens. If you look to the side, the vision will be blurred so you must turn your head for the correct position. Initially, you will do this with thought but afterwards it will become second nature. The reason the vision is blurred at the sides is due to the change in the power of the lens. The natural eye is wonderful, progressive lenses are man’s way of correcting the effects of time and it is the best option we have at the moment. The spectacles may need a simple adjustment- as I explained if the spectacles are not sitting properly you might be looking through the wrong part of the lens. There are a few options for people who need a large intermediate area (bookkeepers) to work on the computer. Also, the way your work station is set up might affect your ability to work with the new progressive lenses. Measure the distance from your computer screen to yourself. Is it on a stand or off to the side? It is best to go back to the dispensing optician and explain the problems you are having so that they can help you. Your problems might be solved with minor adjustments to the frame.
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